Module Descriptors
SYNTHESIS SOFTWARE AND ELECTRONICS HARDWARE (HARTT INTERNATIONAL)
XXET50192
Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader:
Email:
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 50
Independent Study Hours: 100
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
  • EXAMINATION - UNSEEN IN EXAMINATION CONDITIONS weighted at 30%
  • COURSEWORK weighted at 70%
Module Details
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Students who study this module at the University of Hartford are not allowed to study CE00614-2 Sound Synthesis and MIDI at Stafford during level 3
Module Resources
Software: Logic Pro 8 and Tassman
? USB MIDI keyboard

Binder/Folder for class notes/handouts
Module Learning Strategies
Lectures and interactive laboratory/demonstration sessions. 3 hrs per week consisting of a 1hr lecture and 2 hr lab
(1:n)1 (1:30)2
Module Indicative Content
The objective of the module is to familiarize students with the process of crafting a sound from scratch using software-based digital synthesis ? a particularly useful skill for music producers, recording engineers and composers. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to design virtual synthesizers in the Tassman application, incorporate their instruments as a plug-in into Logic Pro, and use them to create compositions. In addition, we will cover audio measurements and specifications, using the software Spectra-Foo to perform measurements in class when demonstration is possible, and important concepts such as crosstalk, DC offset, slew rate, inter-modulation distortion, peak vs. RMS detect etc.
Module Additional Assessment Details
An EXAMINATION length 1 HOUR weighted at 30%. IN-COURSE ASSESSMENT weighted at 70%.

1. An EXAMINATION weighted at 30%. (assessing learning outcomes 1 and 4)

2. IN-COURSE ASSESSMENT weighted at 70%.
Comprising:-
a. 20% soft synth application:- a series of custom instrument projects
20% D.A.W. application:
- Projects to incorporate custom instrument created in the chosen soft synth environment (assessing learning outcome 3)
- Projects using each of the D.A.W.?s instruments (assessing learning outcome 3)
b. 15% Final composition/sound design project incorporating custom instruments. (assessing learning outcomes 2, 3 and 4)
c. 15% technical ear training quizzes. (assessing learning outcome 2)
Module Texts
Martin Russ (2002) Sound Synthesis and Sampling. Focal Press
ISBN 0-240-51429-7
David Huber (2004) The MIDI Manual Focal Press. 2004
ISBN 0-240-80330-2
Geoff Martin?s ?Electroacoustics? Chapter (.pdf on Blackboard)
Audio Measurement Handbook ? Meltzer (.pdf on Blackboard)